Guinea pigs outside?

Merv987

Is it too cold at the moment to keep guinea pigs outside? We wanted to get gp's in about a month, once our conservatory is finished, but we saw 2 beautiful ones for sale today, so our best option would be keep them outside for a month. We haven't got a cage/hutch yet, hoping for a second hand one from ebay or gum tree. We're in South hampshire.

balletshoes

Merv987 wrote: »

Is it too cold at the moment to keep guinea pigs outside? We wanted to get gp's in about a month, once our conservatory is finished, but we saw 2 beautiful ones for sale today, so our best option would be keep them outside for a month. We haven't got a cage/hutch yet, hoping for a second hand one from ebay or gum tree. We're in South hampshire.

GPs don't need to take up a lot of room, and they don't make a lot of mess, isn't there somewhere else inside the house you could keep them for a month?

elsien

Might not be right now, but there still a chance of the weather changing and temperatures plummeting subzero. What's your planB if this happens?

Merv987

If we really needed to we would make room, say if it did get freezing cold, but that can't be our plan a. It's recommended 2 gp's have a 5ft cage, which does take up quite a lot of space, the only place we could put it is in my dd's room and that's where the cats mostly sleep, (they'll be kept out of the conservatory and we'll make sure the outside cage is cat proof).

Merv987

Or could possibly put them in the shed temporarily?

Trina90

They would be okay with lots of hay, as it's not freezing, but I've always preferred to either keep mine In the house or the shed (I used to breed guineas)

balletshoes

it would be better for them to be in the shed than completely outside in the winter. You can further insulate their hutch in the shed with layers of cardboard/bubble wrap/dry old carpet etc.

sheramber

If they are coming from an indoor situation it will be too cold to out them outside right away.

They need to acclimatise to the colder weather.

It will also be rather cold to go out and interact with them.

According to the RSPCA

Ideally,
when temperatures drop to below 15°C,
guinea pigs should be housed indoors. If
not, they must be provided with sufficient
bedding throughout the whole enclosure
to enable them to keep warm and a cover
for their accommodation is advised.

you can download their leaflet here http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs

Faith177

When we had GP's ages ago they were kept outside we use to give them stacks of hay in the winter and cover their cages with a duvet or heavy blanket to keep the cold out.

They lived for quite a few years quite happy and healthy

Tiddlywinks

These are living, breathing little critters that need to be properly cared for.

If you're starting out thinking of ways to 'get away' with second best care then you shouldn't get them at all.

HappyMJ

Merv987 wrote: »

Is it too cold at the moment to keep guinea pigs outside? We wanted to get gp's in about a month, once our conservatory is finished, but we saw 2 beautiful ones for sale today, so our best option would be keep them outside for a month. We haven't got a cage/hutch yet, hoping for a second hand one from ebay or gum tree. We're in South hampshire.

I live in a small flat with 3 guinea pigs that live in an open top click and connect cage which is 3 by 3 grids. It's about 115 cm by 115 cm. It doesn't take up that much room. You can temporarily build a small C&C cage and when you have more floor space you can make it bigger. You can also build C&C cages over several levels with ramps between levels to save on floor space.

I would highly recommend the C&C system. It's cheap and you can reconfigure the cage whenever you want. I got the Correx board (the floor) from the local pub when a promotion is finished the advertising boards were normally binned I got them for free. You just cut them to size.